Christa T. Palmer is a mother of 2 small children who lives in Colorado. She worked in the corporate world for more than a decade, but she was laid off the day after returning from maternity leave. Since then, she has worked as a freelance writer.

1) Must not laugh. Must not laugh. Their mother told me she doesn't appreciate it when I laugh at the tantrums.

2) What if I get down on the floor with them and cry just as loudly? What will they do?

Jenna MaroneyMarch 11, 2013 at 3:51 pm

Yes, warn people.

Not only do hear or see kids throwing those tantrums all the time–I remember my own and cringe.

Sometimes the world bears down on you when you're new to EMOTIONZ and have to deal with them outside the womb. (That's how it felt at least–it was still asshole behavior, but anyone that thinks being a kid is all puppies and roses probably doesn't remember rites of passage like getting lost someplace unfamiliar before you know how to ask for help, or the first time your best friend treats you like crap on the playground.)

It's so true that it's important to warn people – also to empathize when their kids are losing it. I remember when my son lost his mind in public and a woman came up to me and said "You're doing a great job. He's just little." That was so helpful – to know I wasn't the first mom to deal with it and certainly wouldn't be the last.